Life After Invisalign®: Retention, Maintenance, and Keeping Your Smile Straight

5 minute read

Teeth straightening with Invisalign is a long-term commitment that pays off with a straighter and balanced smile. But all that hard work can go to waste if you don’t take steps to prevent teeth from shifting after your aligners come out for the last time.

Retention is an important phase of Invisalign treatment that can help prevent an orthodontic relapse and stop teeth from shifting back out of alignment. Your dentist will explain what retention involves during your Invisalign consultation, along with other ways to keep your smile healthier and beautiful for the long term.

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What is an orthodontic relapse?

Teeth straightening with Invisalign or braces moves teeth into a better alignment over time by exerting pressure on the teeth, but it doesn’t move the ligaments that connect the teeth to the jaw. These stretch like elastic throughout the treatment and can start to pull your teeth back to their original position once you stop using your aligners. This is known as an orthodontic relapse, and in some cases, it can mean that your teeth straightening treatment needs to be repeated.

Orthodontic relapses are fairly common, but they can be prevented by wearing a retainer after your treatment. While they can happen after teeth straightening with braces or aligners, a 2018 review of studies found that they are more likely to happen 1 to 3 years after Invisalign treatment compared to treatment with a fixed orthodontic appliance, making retention a vital preventive measure.*

Teeth can shift position for other reasons too, including:

• Natural ageing: Teeth naturally shift in the jaw as the supporting bone tissue deteriorates with age. This may lead to crowding or other alignment issues and is most common with the lower teeth.
• Teeth grinding (bruxism): Grinding or clenching your teeth can put them under pressure and cause them to shift or incur damage.
• Advanced gum disease (periodontitis): Gum disease can weaken the gums and damage the connective structures supporting teeth, making it easier for them to shift position.
• Missing teeth: When a tooth is lost or extracted, the surrounding teeth can start to shift into the gap and become crooked.
• Injuries or surgery: Trauma to the mouth or jaw may affect the alignment of teeth.

 

* Papadimitriou, A., Mousoulea, S., Gkantidis, N. et al. Clinical effectiveness of Invisalign® orthodontic treatment: a systematic review. Prog Orthod. 19, 37 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1186/s40510-018-0235-z

 

How to keep my smile straight after Invisalign?

The most effective way to prevent an orthodontic relapse after Invisalign treatment is to wear a retainer every night. This is a custom-made appliance that fits comfortably over your teeth to hold them in place and maintain their alignment. You can also prevent misalignment by taking good care of your oral hygiene, wearing a protective mouthguard when playing sports, and seeing a dentist as soon as possible if you have a dental injury.

Like aligners, Invisalign retainers are removable and can be taken out during the day, though you should wear them for as long as your dentist advises. Most people only need to wear their retainer at night, but your dentist may advise wearing it at other times, especially if you had a more complex orthodontic treatment.

To find out more about retention after Invisalign and what your options are, call us today on (08) 9470 3944.

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About Invisalign retainers

Invisalign retainers are made using the same technology and process as Invisalign aligners. Your dentist will take digital scans of your new, straighter smile and design your custom retainer using Invisalign software to make sure of a comfortable fit.

Your retainer will be virtually invisible when in place. You can also take it out for cleaning and when you brush and floss your teeth, just like you did with your aligners.

Monitoring your progress

If you wear your retainer as instructed and don’t have any problems, there’s no need to make additional appointments with your dentist. They can check that your retainer fits comfortably and address any issues during your routine check-up, which is recommended every 6 months. Your dentist may also recommend having an x-ray once or twice a year so they can check that your teeth are still properly aligned.

If your teeth show signs of shifting even after wearing a retainer, your dentist will make adjustments to your retention plan. This may involve wearing your retainer more often or switching to a different type of retainer.

How to care for your retainer

Invisalign retainers and other retainers are low maintenance and designed to be durable, but improper use and care can damage them, and can put your oral health at risk. Looking after a retainer should be second nature if you’re already used to wearing Invisalign aligners, but your dentist will give you guidance.

You should clean your retainer daily to keep it free from bacteria and odours. We recommend soaking them in a 50:50 white vinegar/water solution, whilst brushing your teeth. When not in use, you should store it in a dry place away from heat sources that could cause the material to warp and shorten its lifespan.

Your dentist will tell you how long you should use a retainer before replacing it. They may also provide a spare retainer in case one gets lost or damaged.

 

How to look after your smile

To avoid problems like gum disease and tooth loss that can cause teeth to shift, it’s important to maintain good oral hygiene during and after your orthodontic treatment. This includes:

• Twice daily brushing: Clean your teeth for around 2 minutes in the morning and before bed using fluoride toothpaste and a soft or medium-bristled toothbrush. Replace your toothbrush or electric toothbrush head every 3 months or when the bristles start to fray.
• Daily flossing: Brushing alone can’t remove all traces of food and plaque from teeth. It’s also important to clean between your teeth and around the gum line at least once a day using floss or another cleaning tool recommended by your dentist, such as an interdental brush or water flosser.
• Healthy diet: Try to limit sugar that causes tooth decay and follow a balanced diet to give your teeth and gums the nutrition they need.
• Healthy habits: Avoid smoking and heavy alcohol use that increase your risk of oral health problems. You should also avoid using your teeth as tools to open or tear items, as this can damage them.
• Regular dental visits: When you keep up with your scheduled dental visits twice a year, your dentist will be better able to spot and treat problems before they cause damage, as well as provide oral hygiene treatments to remove plaque.

Avoiding dark-coloured food and drink can also help you avoid stains to keep your new smile looking its best. If your teeth are discoloured and you want to enhance their appearance, you can talk to your dentist about cosmetic treatments such as teeth whitening.

 

When can Invisalign fail?

Invisalign failure is rare when your treatment is provided by an experienced dentist and you follow their guidance. However, there’s a chance you may need further bite correction if:

• you don’t wear your aligners or retainer for as long as your dentist instructs
• you have a more complex orthodontic issue
• you have a pre-existing oral health issue, such as gum disease or tooth decay
• you don’t limit or avoid sugary, acidic and hard foods in your diet
• you smoke
• you skip your dental check-ups

If your teeth have shifted after Invisalign, retainer use can sometimes correct minor movement, but more severe teeth shifting may need another orthodontic treatment. The longer you leave an orthodontic relapse untreated, the harder it can be to fix.

Tips for long-term success

When you commit to wearing your retainer as directed by your dentist, stay consistent with your oral care routine and avoid bad habits, you can minimise the risk of an orthodontic relapse after Invisalign treatment.

At EVP Dental, our certified Invisalign providers are specially trained and experienced in using Invisalign aligners and retainers to help patients of all ages achieve the straight and balanced smiles they deserve. We’ll work with you to develop an orthodontic treatment plan that suits you and helps you reach your goals.

What our patients say about EVP Dental

“I recently had an excellent experience at EVP Dental. From the moment I walked in, I was greeted with a warm and welcoming atmosphere. The staff were incredibly attentive and made sure I was comfortable at every step. I highly recommend EVP Dental for anyone seeking top-notch dental care in a friendly and professional environment.” – Caleb Joice

 

Book an Invisalign consultation in East Victoria Park

Whether you’re about to begin your Invisalign journey or taking it to the next stage, our dentists in East Vic Park can give you all the information you need and help you achieve your dream smile for life. Call our friendly team today on (08) 9470 3944 or book online.

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Invisalign® aligners are a registered medical device. Always read the label and follow and instructions for use from your dentist.

 

References

1. Papadimitriou, A., Mousoulea, S., Gkantidis, N. et al. Clinical effectiveness of Invisalign® orthodontic treatment: a systematic review. Prog Orthod. 19, 37 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1186/s40510-018-0235-z